The four main mayoral hopefuls running in Tuesday’s special election represent a range of backgrounds and policy priorities

Mike Aguirre

Education: Bachelor of science, Arizona State University, 1971; law degree, University of California Berkeley, 1974; master’s in public administration, Harvard University, 1989

Elected office: San Diego city attorney, 2004-08

Party: Democratic

Other jobs: Former assistant U.S. attorney, private practice

Family: Two adult children, Emilie and Arthur

What he’s done: A former lawyer for labor leader Cesar Chavez, Aguirre has a long history of political activism through litigation. He has sued over voting rights issues and unsuccessfully to block Qualcomm Stadium’s expansion, among other things. He’s best known for his volatile four-year stint as city attorney. He railed against what he called illegal and excessive public-employee pensions and sued unsuccessfully to eliminate $900 million in retroactive benefits granted by city officials in 2002. He repeatedly accused pension board members and City Council members of impropriety and got into arguments with them during public hearings. Aguirre also issued 35 scathing reports about city finances and operations. In the end, his combative style contributed to him losing his 2008 re-election bid in a landslide. He’s currently in private practice.

What he’s promising: The No. 1 civic issue to Aguirre remains the city’s $2.3 billion pension deficit. He has repeatedly pointed out on the campaign trail that the city now pays more annually toward pensions ($275 million) than fire protection ($236 million). He has proposed underfunding the pension system and using that money toward road repairs and other infrastructure needs. Aguirre also said he would bring employee unions to the bargaining table and negotiate for lower pensions for current workers, a tall order for a man who is loathed by labor groups.

What supporters say: Aguirre has an engaging personality, a flair for debating and an encyclopedic knowledge of civic issues. He has refused to accept any large campaign contributions and therefore boasts that he’s the only candidate that won’t be beholden to special-interest groups favoring business and labor. He’s the only candidate talking about the city’s pension problems.

What critics say: Aguirre is mostly a one-issue candidate (pensions) without a realistic solution for how to fix the problem. His combative term as city attorney proves he can’t be trusted with a position of power despite his claim of being a changed man.

Notable supporters: Aguirre doesn’t have any big-name supporters but did receive the endorsement of La Prensa San Diego.

David Alvarez

Age: 33

Born: San Diego

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, San Diego State University

Elected office: San Diego councilman, 2010-present

Party: Democratic

Other jobs: Former staffer for state Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny

Family: Wife, Xochitl; daughter, Izel

What he’s done: With community activism and social work in his background, Alvarez won a surprise victory for City Council three years ago. He found tough sledding to get things done as he immediately butted heads with then-Mayor Jerry Sanders and found himself on the losing end of many council votes. The most notable legislative victory he had in those early years was the Property Value Protection Ordinance, which seeks to make banks responsible for the upkeep of foreclosed properties. His stature at City Hall grew once Bob Filner became mayor in December 2012. Alvarez was Filner’s closest ally, helping him navigate a dispute with hoteliers over tourism marketing revenue and sealing a five-year labor deal with city workers. He was quick to call for Filner’s resignation when allegations of sexual harassment surfaced.

What he’s promising: Alvarez’s “Blueprint for San Diego” plan calls for improving city neighborhoods by listening to what residents want, using data and science to determine what projects should be funded and beefing up code enforcement to target slumlords. He said he’ll consider new sources of revenue to fund infrastructure projects, such as voter-approved general obligation bonds. He plans to create a new public-private partnership called GrowSD that would use federal and state dollars to revitalize certain areas and build fire stations in areas with the longest emergency response times. He also wants to increase the cross-border economy and San Diego’s business ties to Asia.

What supporters say: Alvarez is the fresh face needed in the Mayor’s Office after Filner’s disastrous tenure. He shares the same political beliefs as Filner but comes with the wholesome image and high moral character that Filner lacked. He’s walked the walk in fighting for the city’s poorest neighborhoods and would prioritize their needs over the downtown business establishment.

What critics say: Alvarez’s short list of accomplishments illustrates he lacks the experience to lead the country’s eighth-largest city. He hasn’t always shown a willingness to work with others at City Hall and is viewed by some as a politician who would rather complain about problems than fix them. He will be beholden to organized labor.

Kevin Faulconer

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, San Diego State University, 1990

Elected office: San Diego councilman, 2006-present

Party: Republican

Other jobs: Former vice president, San Diego public relations firm Porter Novelli

Family: Wife, Katherine; children, Jack and Lauren

What he’s done: A former PR executive who pushed for the first convention center expansion, Faulconer played a key supportive role as a councilman in former Mayor Jerry Sanders’ efforts to turn city finances around. He actively opposed a proposed 2010 sales-tax hike that voters rejected. He is a leading advocate for putting certain city services up for competitive bid. His two biggest accomplishments involve successful ballot initiatives he helped craft. The first in 2008 set aside money for Mission Bay Park improvements. The second in 2012 replaced pensions with 401(k)-style plans for most new city hires. The latter comes with nearly $1 billion in projected savings for taxpayers over three decades because of a five-year freeze on pensionable pay for current employees.

What he’s promising: Faulconer has pledged to improve police officer retention and recruitment, increase take-home pay for officers and invest more in staffing and equipment. He also plans to put a single department in charge of all city projects and spend $900 million over five years on infrastructure improvements. He said he’ll put 50 percent of all new city revenue toward those projects. Faulconer also promised to reduce the costs of doing business in San Diego, work with federal officials to reduce border wait times and create 2,500 summer jobs for at-risk youths.

What supporters say: Considered one of San Diego’s most affable politicians, he’ll provide a calm, measured approach to civic matters. He has a strong pro-business record coupled with fiscal prudence and respect toward his political opponents.

What critics say: He’s spent much of his political career as a follower behind other prominent Republicans such as Sanders and former Councilman Carl DeMaio and has only recently asserted himself as a leader at City Hall. He is beholden to Republican power brokers, including developers and business groups, which are backing him financially in the race.

Notable supporters: Sanders, DeMaio, the Republican Party of San Diego County, the pro-business Lincoln Club, U-T San Diego Publisher “Papa” Doug Manchester, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association, Building Industry Association, Association of Builders and Contractors

Nathan Fletcher

Age: 36

Born: Carson City, Nev.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, California Baptist University

What he’s done: After a difficult childhood and a college baseball career, Fletcher joined the Marines as a reservist in 1997, served in Iraq and Africa and won a combat medal for valor after a 2004 firefight that left many of his fellow troops wounded. Upon returning home, he won an Assembly seat where he was best known for authoring Chelsea’s Law, which enhanced sentencing for predators who commit forcible sex crimes against children. He also authored last-minute legislation to lift the cap on city redevelopment funds, which made billions available for downtown projects. That bill was made moot after state leaders killed redevelopment. A lifelong Republican, he left the party last year to become an independent during a mayoral run. He lost that race and became a Democrat in May.

What he’s promising: He wants to add 160 police officers by 2016, increase their pay and upgrade equipment. Fletcher has pledged to assess neighborhood and infrastructure needs in his first 100 days, develop a funding plan and hire a neighborhoods investment director to oversee the effort. He also promises to create 130,000 local jobs by 2020 and bolster San Diego’s image as an innovation magnet by converting the old downtown library site into a high-tech job training center.

What supporters say: With support from business and labor groups, Fletcher is the only candidate who can get opposing special interests to reach agreement on divisive issues. His history of reaching across the political aisle is unparalleled by his rivals. He is a charismatic leader who promises bold action as mayor.

What critics say: Fletcher is a political opportunist who will say or do anything to get elected. His 180-degree turn on civic issues such as managed competition and project labor agreements show he has no core values and can’t be trusted. His poor attendance in the Assembly while running for mayor last year have some questioning his priorities.